Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-05-20
ADDRESS OF HoN.'JAs. BREATHIrT.
Hon. Jas. Breathitt, of this city,
then delivered the following eloquent
and ornate address of welcome:

Lnen uellVeIcu lUc lOllOWlnS elOQueul
and ornate address of welcome:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:-oyera quarter Of
q century ago the foundations OF American
free Government were shaken by the convul-
sions Of Civil War, and for time II seemed
that that grand structure would crumble into
ruin.
The var between the States was the natural
result OF the political conditions which had ex
isted In the United States for q long period
prior 70 the inal outbreak. And looking back
at the events which were transpirink during
the last quarter OF q century Just preceding
see how the Important and exciting questions
then dividing the sections could have been set
tied except by an appeal TO arms. And II the
brave men living and dead OF this generation
scended as bloody inheritance TO their child
rem. But instead OF this IL may be said that as
our reward for all that we suffered on either
aide In the settlement OF these great questions
that the "AmerIcan Nation had anew birth OF
freedom, and that the only true Government Of
the people, by the people, and for the people
shall not pei isb from the earth,
10 matters but little to-day what part we may
have played In that memorable struggle, nor
how conscientiously we may have entertained
the principles for which we fought, nor does "
matter that even to-day rs wo look upon this
scene we feel IL we were surrounded by the
same circumstances, National and State, that
we would be willing TO play the same part over
again; there arc but few men In this land who
the North and South. who Is II In this broad
land who does not feel In his heart whether he
stands on the shores OF the lakeaof the North or
beneath the groves where the gold orange
glows" that this Is my own my native land.
The war had Its bad results, but 1t cannot be
doubted that much good has resulted from IL.
The only question that has ever seriously
threatened tho Union has been settled forever.
and skill in arms were performed by the Amer
lean soldiers Of either arIny which add to the
Nations glory and renown In war and com
mand the respect and admiration OF the civil
lied Powers OF the earth. When an impartial
history OF that period shall have been written
and the student would search It's pages for q
true type and illustration Of the American SOL
dier, he Will admire and praise in equal degree
the skill and valor OF Stonewall jackson In the
valley OF the Shenandoah, and Albert Sidney
johnson yielding up his life for principle at the
battle Of Shiloh with Grant, sherman and 9TH
ers leading to victory the armies of the Union,
Whore In the history Of the world can be found
such an Interesting picture as that prceented
TO our view In the meeting OF those two great
allc courtesy al AppomAttox. Here is a dis
tlnctive Illustration OF tine character oi the
American soldier. Bravo in battle, generous
and forgiying IN victory, and digniiled and I'm !.
posing IN the hour OF defeat. Such were Grant
and Lee--the noblest Romans OF them all--in
this moment OF ictory and defeat.
And whatever else that was noble, grand
and heroic In that war and admirable In the
nescc that followed Is ours now TO enjoy, but
eoon 10 enrich the Nations history and TO be-
come the proud inheritance OF a common poa-
terity and like the deeds OF our revolutionary
fathers the glory OF every American. II is
therefore the duty OF every man TO do every
thlngin his power to wipe away every tear, TO
aooth every heart ache, and'to allay every em-
Uttered feeling yet remaining In the breast OF
the people in order that we may have perfect
union Of hearts aswoll as perfect union Of
law.
war that during one OF Its many battles q North
ern soldier from New Hampahlre and o South
ern soldier from Georgia met In hand TO hand
conflict and each became the slayer Of the 9TH
err They fell aide by side and as they lay on
the green banks OF the river with the life blood
rapidly flowing away, they spoke OF loved ones
at home and each ascortaining that the other
had a little girl at home who would never see
hsF fsthor again, the two eoldiere drew nearer
together, and tho Union soldier said, 1--WE have
fought here like mon together, We are going
before God in a little while. Let Ms forgive
each other" The southern soldier tried %
apeak, but the sound died away In murmur
from hia white lips, but he took the hand OF the
fallen foe, and hls stinening fingers closed over
IL, and his last look was aamllo OF forgiveness
aud peace Whenthe next mornings sun walk. (.
ed up tho golden stairs OF tho dawn, II looked
down and saw the two foes lying dead with
their hands clapped In each other. Thus theae
Two soldiers, foes In battle, were drawn togeth-